Package holidays - the better budget option?

I consider myself an independant traveller. It's the way I prefer to spend my holidays - unplanned, turning up at a destination and exploring.

However, sometimes backpacking can, well, be more expensive than the package options. There are absolutely fantastic last minute "off the peg" deals to be got, flight and hotel packages that can be very tempting. In fact, my recent "4 star luxury" week in Egypt flight and hotel package cost less than the flight would have done!

I must admit to some misgivings when herded like sheep towards our transfer bus from the airport - but once I arrived I quickly adjusted to the different way of travelling and really enjoyed it.

You can still approach the trip in an independent way - seek out off the beat and track restaurants; go on a local bus to somewhere close for a couple of days; but actually, there is a lot to be said for a beautiful hotel with a nice pool somewhere hot.

Independent travel comes in all shapes and sizes - you can still make a package holiday your own individual experience.